Mallory Shelbourne

About Mallory Shelbourne

Mallory Shelbourne is a reporter for USNI News. She previously covered the Navy for Inside Defense and reported on politics for The Hill.

Recent Posts By the Author


Project Overmatch Targeting R&D Tops Navy's Fiscal Year 2024 Wishlist, $550M for Facility Overhauls

Project Overmatch Targeting R&D Tops Navy’s Fiscal Year 2024 Wishlist, $550M for Facility Overhauls

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Operations Specialist 3rd Class Zachary Ezekiel, assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61), identifies air contacts in the combat information center (CIC) on March 21, 2016. Monterey is underway conducting Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) with the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group in preparation for a future deployment. US Navy photo.

This post has been updated with additional details from the unfunded priorities list.

If the Navy could ask for more funds in Fiscal Year 2024, it would prioritize infrastructure to target potential adversaries for its Project Overmatch initiative, USNI News has learned. Read More →

Ford Aircraft Carrier John F. Kennedy to Deliver a Year Later

Ford Aircraft Carrier John F. Kennedy to Deliver a Year Later

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In this aerial photograph, the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) sits at Pier 3 at Newport News Shipbuilding division. The ship is approximately 76 percent complete and is progressing through final outfitting and testing. Huntington Ingalls Industries photo.

The next Ford-class aircraft carrier will now deliver to the Navy in 2025, one year later than the service’s most recent projection, according to Fiscal Year 2024 budget documents released this week.
Read More →

OSD Comptroller Says U.S. Shipyards Can’t Build 3 Destroyers a Year

OSD Comptroller Says U.S. Shipyards Can’t Build 3 Destroyers a Year

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Arleigh Burke destroyers Jack H. Lucas (DDG-125), Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG-123) and the Legend-class cutter Calhoun (WMSL-759) at Ingalls Shipbuilding on Aug. 4, 2022. USNI News Photo

This story has been updated to include a statement from a spokesperson for Bath Iron Works.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Navy is keeping a two-ship-per-year cadence for its destroyer line because that’s a realistic goal for industry to work toward, according to the Pentagon’s top budget officer. Read More →

Congress Notified of Potential $895M Tomahawk Sale to Australia

Congress Notified of Potential $895M Tomahawk Sale to Australia

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A tomahawk cruise missile launches from the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG-86) for a live-fire exercise during Valiant Shield 2018 on Sept. 18, 2018. US Navy Photo

This story has been updated to include comments from Australia’s Minister for Defense Industry Pat Conroy.

The State Department authorized the potential sale of Tomahawk missiles to Australia, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced today. Read More →

Navy and Marine Corps Debate Amphibious Ship Costs as Clash Over LPD-17 Flight II Line Continues

Navy and Marine Corps Debate Amphibious Ship Costs as Clash Over LPD-17 Flight II Line Continues

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The future USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) departed Huntington Ingalls Shipyard to conduct Acceptance Trials in the Gulf of Mexico. US Navy Photo

This story has been updated to include additional information about ship cost numbers from Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Navy halted its pursuit of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock line because of the program’s growing costs and delays in the shipyard, the service’s top officer said Wednesday. Read More →

Navy: OSD Directed Amphib Procurement Pause, Joint Staff Says Current Amphib Force ‘Sufficient’

Navy: OSD Directed Amphib Procurement Pause, Joint Staff Says Current Amphib Force ‘Sufficient’

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A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 263 (Rein.), flies over the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD-24) on May 3, 2022. US Navy Photo

THE PENTAGON – A new study directed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense led to the halt in amphibious ship procurement so the Navy can evaluate requirements and cost efficiencies, a Navy official said Monday. Read More →

FY2024 Budget: Navy Request Calls for 9 New Ships, Asks to Shed 2 Littoral Combat Ships, 9 Other Ships

FY2024 Budget: Navy Request Calls for 9 New Ships, Asks to Shed 2 Littoral Combat Ships, 9 Other Ships

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A Royal Malaysian Navy service member stands by for the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Montgomery (LCS 8) to depart the Port of Lumut Base Jetty to participate in the sea phase of Maritime Training Activity (MTA) 2019. U.S. Air Force Photo

THE PENTAGON – The Navy wants to purchase nine battle force ships and decommission 11 hulls in its Fiscal Year 2024 budget request. Read More →